Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC Cuts Holdings in British American Tobacco p.l.c. $BTI

Key Points

• Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC cut its BTI stake by 31.8% in Q3, selling 22,712 shares and leaving it with 48,616 shares worth $2.58M (about 0.7% of the firm's portfolio and its 15th-largest holding).
• BTI pays a sizable dividend: the company disclosed a quarterly dividend of $0.8349 per share (ex‑dividend and record date Dec 29), equal to a $3.34 annualized payout and roughly a 5.5% yield, payable Feb 8.
• Analyst consensus is a "Moderate Buy"—eight analysts rate BTI a Buy and two a Sell, with a consensus price target of $51, though recent notes range from underweight to buy and include a Weiss upgrade.

Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC cut its stake in shares of British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI - Free Report) by 31.8% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 48,616 shares of the company's stock after selling 22,712 shares during the quarter. British American Tobacco makes up approximately 0.7% of Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC's holdings in British American Tobacco were worth $2,581,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new position in British American Tobacco in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in British American Tobacco in the 2nd quarter valued at about $30,000. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. raised its position in British American Tobacco by 48.6% during the 3rd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 633 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of British American Tobacco by 100.0% in the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 782 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 391 shares during the period. Finally, City Holding Co. purchased a new position in shares of British American Tobacco in the third quarter valued at $42,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 16.16% of the company's stock.

British American Tobacco Stock Up 1.0%

Shares of BTI stock opened at $61.01 on Thursday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $59.06 and a two-hundred day moving average of $56.37. British American Tobacco p.l.c. has a 1-year low of $37.96 and a 1-year high of $63.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.57.

British American Tobacco Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, February 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 29th will be paid a dividend of $0.8349 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 29th. This represents a $3.34 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.5%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on BTI shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "underweight" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "buy" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Kepler Capital Markets started coverage on British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, December 12th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Weiss Ratings raised British American Tobacco from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, Citigroup restated a "buy" rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research note on Friday, November 28th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $51.00.

British American Tobacco Profile

British American Tobacco plc (BTI) is a multinational tobacco manufacturer and nicotine products company headquartered in London. Founded in 1902 as a joint venture to commercialize tobacco products outside the United States, the company has grown into one of the world's largest tobacco firms with a long history in manufacturing and global distribution of combustible tobacco products.

BAT's core business remains the manufacture and sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products under a portfolio of well-known consumer brands, including Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Kent and Rothmans.

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